Capacity management methods and apparatus for use in a wireless network

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for managing capacity in a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) network. An exemplary method embodiment includes operating a Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD) of a cell to perform the steps of: receiving a power down message; decreasing, in response to the power down message, UE inactivity timer length for one or more UEs from a first length to a second length; and continuing to transmit packets to UEs at an edge of the cell. An exemplary system embodiment includes: a CBSD of a cell that comprises: a network receiver that receives a power down message; a first processor that controls the first CBSD to decrease, in response to the power down message, UE inactivity timer length for one or more UEs from a first length to a second length; and a wireless transmitter that continues to transmit packets to UEs at an edge of the cell.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/156,335 filed on Jan. 22, 2021 which published as UnitedStates Patent Application Publication No. US 2021-0243651 A1 on Aug. 5,2021 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/013,103 filed on Jun. 20, 2018 which published as United StatesPatent Application Publication No. US 2019-0394678 A1 on Dec. 26, 2019and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,952,098 on Mar. 16, 2021, each of theforegoing applications, publications, and patents are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for managingcapacity in a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) network. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus formanaging the introduction of a new Citizens Broadband Radio ServiceDevice into a system while reducing, minimizing and/or eliminating theimpact on current user equipment devices currently receiving services.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) network, Citizens BroadbandRadio Service Devices CBSDs serve as access points which can supportcommunications sessions between a user equipment device (UE) using aCBSD and another device attached to a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networkwith which the UE is communicating. The communications with the UE mayinvolve a communications session which may be and sometimes is a voice,video or data session.

While data sessions may be short lived in some cases, video sessions, aswell as some data sessions may normally last for several minutes or evenlonger.

A CBRS network often includes one or more Citizens Broadband RadioService Devices (CBSDs) with relatively small coverage areas as comparedto a macro base station or access point. In a CBRS network, interferenceis managed through power management of CBSD devices by a managementdevice in the network referred to as a Spectrum Access System (SAS).When a new CBSD is turned on, the management device will instruct nearbyCBSDs transmission power levels to be turned down or decreased in orderto decrease electromagnetic interference to this newly created/activateddevice.

A power down operation by a CBSD in response to a power reductioninstruction from a management device will result in a reduction in thedata capacity and/or transmission range of a CBSD which implements thepower down instruction. As a result, the number of UEs which can besupported by a CBSD subject to a power down command will be reduced ascompared to before the power down command is implemented. This canresult in a disruption of service as a CBSD may no longer be able toservice the same number of UEs after a power down command and/or some ofthe UEs being serviced prior to a power down command may have difficultycommunicating at the same data rates or be out of range of the CBSDsubject to a power down command.

Thus it should be appreciated that the powering down of an active CBSDdue to a new, e.g., neighboring CBSD, being added to a system candisrupt ongoing communications sessions resulting in the possibledropping of the session. Interruption of video sessions, and/or haltedand/or low quality video sessions e.g., can be annoying and is oftenconsidered a sign of poor service quality. Similarly, even in cases werea session is not dropped the loss of packets, e.g., dropping of packetsin a CBSD transmit buffer can be undesirable since it can result in theloss of video packets causing defective video in a video session. In thecase of data sessions the loss of packets and/or dropping of the sessionis also undesirable as data may be lost and/or a new session may need tobe established.

Re-establishment of a communications session or establishment of a newcommunications session due to radio link problems such as those whichmay occur when a CBSD powers down are not only desirable but can involvea fair amount of session establishment signaling to re-establish asession or establish a new session.

From the above, it should be appreciated that it would be desirable ifmethods and/or apparatus could be developed which would allow for a CBSDto reduce its transmit power when a new CBSD is added to the systemwithout requiring termination of communications sessions which areongoing at the CBSD which is controlled to implement the power downoperation. For communications sessions which will no longer besupportable as a result of a power down instruction it would still bedesirable if a CBSD could complete transmission of packets alreadyincluded in its transmit buffer so that those sessions for whichadditional packets will not be received can be completed without loss ofpackets despite the receipt of a power down instruction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Methods and apparatus for managing and utilizing the capacity of CBSDsin a CBRS network, e.g., which uses LTE, are described. CBSDs in thesystem determine the number of UEs in their coverage area, e.g., thenumber they are serving. This information provides information on the UEload on the existing CBSDs in the network. The CBSD can use this loadinformation for managing UEs and determining how best to respond to apower down command taking into consideration the effect the power downcommand will have given the exiting load on the CBSD at the time thepower down command, e.g., from an SAS, is to be implemented.

When a new CBSD is added to the network, an SAS determines CBSDtransmission power changes to be made to existing CBSDs in the areawhere the new CBSD has been added. The SAS communicates a power downmessage, e.g., power down instruction, to an old CBSD to reduce theinterference to the new CSBD.

In response to the power down message, the CSBD will begin transmittingin accordance with the new lower transmission power constraints. As aresult of the reduction in available power, a CSBD may have difficultycommunicating with devices at the edge of the cell if communication withother UEs is maintained at the same rate as before the power downinstruction was implemented.

To free up resources on a temporary basis to allow the CBSD beingpowered down to complete transmission of packets in its transmit bufferfor UEs, UEs at the cell edge prior to the power down command, for whichcommunication is not going to be able to be maintained for an extendedperiod of time after the power down operation, the CBSD takes one ormore steps to attempt to successfully communicate the packets in itstransmit buffer. In one approach the CBSD decreases the inactivity timerfor UEs which are likely to continue to be supported by the CBSD afterthe power down operation, e.g., UEs near the CBSD as indicated byreceived signal strength, power headroom information and/or timingadvance information indicating that a UE is near the CBSD and thuslikely to be capable of being supported after the power down command isimplemented. By decreasing the UE inactivity timer for UE's near theCBSD, these UEs are likely to be more quickly switched into an idlestate than before the power reduction operation since the shorterinactivity time is more likely to be satisfied by even a short period ofinactivity. By transitioning at least some UEs into the idle state thetransmission resources including power and/or bandwidth previously beingused by such UEs is freed up for communicating remaining packets in theCBSD's transmit buffer to UEs at the cell edge which are likely to bedropped after a brief period of time, e.g., a few seconds, due to thereduction in transmission power. While the CBSD may transmit to the celledge UEs at a lower power level and thus potentially at a lower datarate due to use of a lower modulation order or level because of thereduction in the transmit power level, the CBSD will still be able toempty its transmit buffer of packets directed to the UEs at the celledge which were present at the time the power reduction instruction wasreceived. In another approach the CBSD reducing its power level mayestablish an X2 connection with the new CBSD and/or another neighboringCBSD and seek assistance with transmitting the packets in its transmitbuffer to the UEs likely to be dropped by the CBSD implementing thetransmit power reduction instruction.

Optionally, UEs which are likely to be dropped may be instructed toinitiate a handoff to a different CBSD if possible. In this way, UEswhich are capable of establishing a new connection with another CBSD,e.g., the new CBSD, may be able to continue ongoing communicationssessions via the new CBSD without termination of an ongoing session. Inthe case of handoff, as part of the normal handoff procedure packets toa UE which attached to a new CBSD will cease being directed to the oldCBSD and will be directed to the new CBSD. Thus, a session that isongoing may be able to continue potentially without the loss of packetsdespite the radio connection with the old CBSD being terminated shortlyafter the reduction in transmit power is completed.

Thus in some embodiments the old CBSD in response to the power downmessage decreases a UE inactivity time for non-edge UEs, e.g., UEs inthe cell center and/or area between the cell center and edge of thecell. By decreasing the UE inactivity timer of at least some UEs, theamount of time allocated to the UEs near the CBSD for data transmissionson average is likely to decrease. In this way the CBSD can free uptransmission resources, at least on a short term basis, to free upresources to empty the transit buffers corresponding to edge UEs beforeterminating the radio connection with the cell edge UEs.

In some embodiments the new CBSD like the old CBSD adjacent the new CBSDwill use an inactivity timer for at least some UEs which is shorter thanthat used after the cell has been operating for a period of time andreached a steady state condition, e.g., with handover of UEs from theold cell to the new cell as part of an optional load balancing operationhaving been completed. The handover is optional in that the methods andapparatus can still be used to empty transmit buffers of the old CBSDbefore dropping the radio connection with the edge UEs even if nohandover is to be implemented.

In order to facilitate making decisions with regard to which UEs arelikely to be dropped and/or should be handed off to the new CBSD as partof the load balancing performed as part of the process of adding the newCBSD to the system, the old CBSD signals to the UEs in its service areathat they should measure signals from neighbor CBSDs, e.g., receivedsignal strength of pilot or other signals along with the ID, e.g., PCI(physical cell identifier), of the CBSD transmitting the measuredreceived signals. The measurements and PCIs provide an indication to theold CBSD of neighboring cells that can be used to assist in transmittingpackets in the CBSD's transmit buffer and also can be used to identifyhandoff candidates and make handover determinations.

The old CBSD receives the PCI and received signal power information,e.g., Reference Signal Received Power signal (RSRP signal) reported bythe UEs in its coverage area and identifies one or more CBSDs which canassist in transmitting remaining packets in the old CBSD's transmitbuffer to the UEs at the edge of the cell. In embodiments where handoffis supported and/or possible between the old and new CBSD, or otheradjacent CBSDs, the old CBSD subject to the power reduction operationalso identifies one or more UEs to handoff to the new CBSD.

To facilitate transmission of remaining packets in it transmit bufferand/or a handoff, in some embodiments an X2 connection is establishedbetween the old CBSD and new CBSD to facilitate communication andtransmission of packets from the old CBSD and new CBSD.

With the X2 connection established the old CBSD sends a (CoordinatedMultipoint) CoMP participation message to the new CBSD. After acceptanceof the CoMP participation acceptance message, the old and new CBSD willboth transmit packets to the UEs whose connection with the old CBSD willbe terminated upon completion of transmission of packets in the oldCBSD's transmit buffer.

Once the packets in the old CBSDs buffer have been transmitted to the UEthe radio connection between the old CBSD and the UE will be terminatedfreeing up resources for the old CBSD to use to support communicationswith the UEs that are in the coverage of the old CBSD. For UEs able tocomplete a handoff to the new CBSD or another CBSD one or more ongoingcommunications sessions will be able to continue without beinginterrupted, e.g., terminated, due to the reduction in transmit power atthe old CBSD.

After a brief period the old CBSD will have emptied its transmit buffersfor UEs, e.g., UEs at the edge of the cell prior to the reduction intransmit power, which are not going to be supported by the old CBSD onan ongoing basis after the reduction in transmit power and the radioconnections with such UEs will be terminated. Once the radio connectionswith one, more or all of the UEs which are to be dropped have beenterminated, the old CBSD changes the inactivity time of the UEs which itis going to continue to support back to the longer normal length usedduring normal operation and/or ceases the CoMP transmission with theCBSD(s) assisting in emptying the old CBSDs transmit buffers for UEsbeing dropped.

By using one or more of the techniques described herein the effect onUEs, particularly those at the edge of a cell subject to a powerreduction operation when a new CBSD is added, can be minimized orreduced and the chance that a session can be gracefully ended or will beable to continue uninterrupted is increased.

An exemplary method embodiment of present invention includes operating afirst CBSD of a first cell, the method comprising the steps of receivinga power down message at the first CBSD; decreasing, in response to thepower down message, UE inactivity timer length for one or more UEs froma first length to a second length; and continuing to transmit packets toUEs at an edge of the first cell. In some embodiments, the methodfurther includes operating the first CBSD to group UEs being served bythe first CBSD into a group of edge UEs and a group of cell center UEs,said grouping being based on an indicator of UE distance from the centerof the cell, said indicator of UE distance from the center of the cellbeing one of Reference Signal Received power information or UE timingadvance information. The step of decreasing UE inactivity timer lengthin some embodiments is performed for UEs in said cell center group ofUEs and is not performed for UEs in said group of edge UEs.

In some method embodiments, the method further includes receiving atsaid first CBSD RSRP (reference signal received power information) andcorresponding physical cell identity (PCI) information from at least afirst edge UE, said RSRP information providing information on at leastone additional CBSD which can communicate with the first edge UE;operating the first CBSD to send a coordinated multipoint (CoMP)participation request message to the additional CBSD; operating thefirst CBSD to receive a CoMP request acceptance message indicating thatthe additional CBSD is willing to assist in the communication ofpackets; and operating the first CBSD to communicate a first set ofpackets in its transmit buffer to said additional CBSD via saidcommunications link, said first set of packets being packets fortransmission (e.g., to be transmitted) to the first edge UE as part of aCoMP session. Both the first CBSD and said additional CBSD are thenoperated to transmit the first set of packets over the air. In someembodiments, the first CBSD completes a handover operation of the firstedge UE to the additional CBSD after completion of the CoMP session.

The present invention is applicable to apparatus and system embodimentswherein one or more devices implement the steps of the methodembodiments. In some apparatus embodiments each of CBDS, user equipmentdevices, SAS devices and each of the other apparatus/devices of thesystem include one or more processor and/or hardware circuitry,input/output interfaces including receivers and transmitters, and amemory. The memory including instructions when executed by the processorcontrol the apparatus/device of the system to operate to perform thesteps of various method embodiments of the invention.

The present invention is also applicable to and includes apparatus andsystems such as for example, apparatus and systems that implement thesteps of the method embodiments. For example, an exemplarycommunications system embodiments comprises: a first CBSD of a firstcell, the first CBSD including: a network receiver that receives a powerdown message; a first processor that controls the first CBSD todecrease, in response to the power down message, UE inactivity timerlength for one or more UEs from a first length to a second length; and awireless transmitter that contines to transmit packets to UEs at an edgeof the first cell. In some such communications embodiments, the firstprocessor controls the operation of the first CBSD to group UEs beingserved by the first CBSD into a group of edge UEs and a group of cellcenter UEs, said grouping being based on an indicator of UE distancefrom the center of the cell, said indicator of UE distance from thecenter of the cell being one of Reference Signal Received powerinformation or UE timing advance information.

While various embodiments have been discussed in the summary above, itshould be appreciated that not necessarily all embodiments include thesame features and some of the features described above are not necessarybut can be desirable in some embodiments. Numerous additional features,embodiments and benefits of various embodiments are discussed in thedetailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary Citizens Broadband Radio Service networksystem 100 that provides wireless communications services at a time T1in accordance one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the CBRS network system of FIG. 1 at a time T2 afterthe Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device 2 is activated.

FIG. 3 illustrates the CBRS network system of FIG. 1 at a time T3.

FIG. 4 illustrates details of an exemplary Citizens Broadband RadioService Device (CBSD) in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates details of an exemplary User Equipment (UE) device inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates details of an exemplary Spectrum Access System (SAS)in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary assembly of components for a CBSD inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary assembly of components for a userequipment device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary assembly of components for a SAS devicein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates the combination of FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C.

FIG. 10A illustrates the steps of the first part of an exemplarycommunications method in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10B illustrates the steps of the second part of an exemplarycommunications method in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10C illustrates the steps of the third part of an exemplarycommunications method in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 illustrates the combination of FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D.

FIG. 11A illustrates the steps of the first part of an exemplarycommunications method in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11B illustrates the steps of the second part of an exemplarycommunications method in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11C illustrates the steps of the third part of an exemplarycommunications method in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11D illustrates the steps of the fourth part of an exemplarycommunications method in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The current invention is applicable to Citizens Broadband Radio Service(CBRS) networks that provide wireless communications services. Thepresent invention relates to methods, systems and apparatus to managecapacity and coverage of CBRS networks in a way that minimizes and/oreliminates service disruptions and/or service degradations to userequipment devices when a CBSD device is activated or powered up andbegins transmitting in proximity to one or more existing and active CBSDdevices.

Citizens Broadband Radio Service networks are networks that include userequipment devices, e.g., mobile or wireless devices such as for examplecell phones, smart phones, laptops, tablets, Citizens Broadband RadioService Devices (CBSDs) which serve as access points/base stations, andSpectrum Access Systems which provides spectrum assignments and managesfrequency interference through power management of the CBSDstransmission power. The Citizens Broadband Radio Service networkutilizes the 150 megahetz in the 3550-3700 MHz band referred to as the3.5 GHz Band. One important aspect of the CBRS network is the limitationof interference, e.g., radio transmission, from multiple transmissionsources, e.g., multiple CBSD devices located near each other or in closeproximity to one another. The CBRS network includes Spectrum AccessSystems that obtain information about registered or licensed commercialusers in the 3.5 GHz band from FCC databases and information aboutfederal incumbent users of the band from ESC (Environmental SensingCapability) system and interact directly or indirectly with CBSDsoperating in the band to ensure that Citizens Broadband Radio Serviceusers operate in a manner consistent with their authorizations andpromote efficient use of the spectrum resource. Among the SpectrumAccess System functions as defined in the Amendment of the Commission'sRules with Regard to Commercial Operations in the 3550-3650 MHz Bandreleased Apr. 21, 2015 are that: it determines the available frequenciesat a given geographic location and assign them to CBSDs; it determinesthe maximum permissible transmission power level for CBSDs at a givenlocation and communicates that information to the CBSDs; it registersand authenticates the identification information and location of CBSDs;it enforces exclusion and protection zones, including any future changesto such Zones, to ensure compatibility between Citizens Broadband RadioService users and incumbent federal operations; it protects PriorityAccess Licensees (PAL) from impermissible interference from otherCitizens Boradband Radio Service users; ensures secure and reliabletransmission of information between the SAS, ESC, and CBSDs; and itfacilitates coordination and information exchange between SASs. Throughthe management of the CBSDs power transmission levels in a geographicalarea the SAS manages the radio interference in the geographical area.When a CBSD device is activated or turned on so that it begins wirelesstransmissions the transmission power of nearby CBSD devices is turneddown or decreased in order to decrease electromagnetic interference tothe newly active CBSD. This reduction in the transmit power of thenearby CBSD device or devices creates service disruptions and servicedegradations in the CBRS network since previously covered user deviceswill out of coverage if the power of the a currently active CBSD deviceor devices is decreased. Various embodiments of the present inventionminimize and/or eliminate the service distributions and/or servicedegradations caused when a CBSD device enters an active state or mode inwhich it begins transmitting to UE devices from an inactive state ormode in which it was not transmitting to UE devices and one or morepre-existing active CBSD devices receive a message to power down orreduce their power transmission level. The CBSD maximum transmissionpower is determined as an EIRP (Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power)level.

One exemplary communications system used to implement an exemplaryembodiment in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communications system 100 having anarchitecture implemented in accordance with the present invention. Thecommunications system 100 includes a CBRS network coupled to corenetwork elements, e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved Packet CoreNetwork elements. The exemplary communications system 100 includes aCitizens Broadcast Radio Service Device (CBSD) 1 102, a CBSD 2 104, aSpectrum Access System device 106, a plurality of user equipment (UE)devices UE 1 110, UE 2 112, UE 3 114, UE 4 116, UE 5 118, UE 6 120, UE 7122, UE 8 124, and UE 9 126, LTE Evolved Packet Network 150,communications links 128, 132, 134, 138, 140, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168,170, and 172. Circle 108 illustrates a first cell of the CBRS networkwhich is serviced by the CBSD 1 102. The first cell 108 illustrates thewireless coverage range of CBSD 1 at a first time T1. The user equipmentdevices also sometimes referred to as user terminal devices UE 1 110, UE2 112, UE 3 114, UE 4 116, and UE 5 118 are located in the first cell108 are in active wireless communications with CBSD 1 102.Communications links 160, 162, 168, 164 and 166 illustrate wirelesscommunications channels, e.g., radio channels, over which CBSD 1 102 andUE 1 110, UE 2 112, UE 3 114, UE 4 116, and UE 5 118 communicaterespectively. The user equipment devices UE 6 120, UE 7 122, UE 8 124and UE 9 126 are located outside of the first cell 108 and are not incommunication with CBSD 1 102 as they are outside of the CBSD 1 coveragearea.

The communications links 138 and 140 are typically wired communicationslinks or fiber optic cables which couple the CBSD 1 102 to the SAS 1 106and CBSD 2 104 to the SAS 1 106 respectively.

The core network 150 is illustrated as an exemplary LTE Evolved PacketCore Network 150 including a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 152, aServing Gateway (S-GW) 154, a PDN Gateway (P-GW) 156, and an Operator'sIP Services element, e.g., IMS and PSS. Other network elements such as aPolicy Control and Charging Rules Function node and a Home SubscriberServer, may be, and in most embodiments are, also included in the corenetwork 150. The elements also referred to as devices or nodes of thecore network 150 are coupled together via communications links so thatthey can exchange information. Communications link 174 couples MME 152to S-GW 154. Communications link 176 couples S-GW 154 to P-GW 156.Communications link 176 couples the P-GW 156 to the core networkoperator's Internet Protocol (IP) services 158. The MME 152 is amobility management entity control node that processes the signalingreceived from the CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104 devices and the corenetwork. Various functions of the MME 152, P-GW 156 and S-GW 154 willnow be discussed. In the exemplary embodiment the MME 158 includes amapping of the Physical Cell Identity (PCI) and the Internet Protocoladdress of the CBSD device serving the corresponding cell in memory. ThePDN Gateway 156 is responsible for IP address allocation for the UE aswell as Quality of Service enforcement and flow based charging. TheServing Gateway 154 serves as the local mobility anchor and all user IPpackets are transferred through the Serving Gateway.

The CBSD 1 102 is coupled to the core network 150 via communicationslinks. For example, communications link 132 couples CBSD 1 102 toServing Gateway 152 and communications link 134 couples CBSD 1 toMobility Management Entity 152. Similarly, CBSD 2 104 is coupled to thecore network 150 via communication links. For example, communicationslink 170 couples CBSD 2 104 to Mobility Management Entity 152 andcommunications link 172 couples CBSD 2 104 to Serving Gateway 152.

The communications link 128 couples CBSD 1 102 to CBSD 2 104.

The communications links 160, 162, 164, 166 and 168 are wireless or overthe air communications links. The communications links 128, 132, 134,138, 140, 170, 172, 174, 176 and 178 are typically wired or fiber opticcommunications links. It is to be understood that communication linksshown in system 100 are only exemplary and other network configurationsand communications links may be employed that couple together thedevices, servers, nodes, entities and controllers of the system.

In FIG. 1 , the system 100 is shown at time T1 when the CBSD 2 104 isnot in an activated mode that is it is not transmitting to UE devices.UE devices UE 6 120, UE 7 122, UE 8 124, UE 9 126 are not incommunications with CBSD 1 102 as these user equipment devices are notwithin the CBSD 1 coverage area and are not in communications with CBSD2 104 as CBSD 2 104 is not in an activated mode of operation in which itcommunicates with UE devices. The CBSD 2 104 in FIG. 1 may be, and insome embodiments is, communicating with the SAS 1 106 in preparation forentering an active mode of operation. While for the sake of simplicityin explaining the invention system 100 only illustrates a single activeCBSD and a few UE devices, it will be appreciated that system 100typically does include a plurality of active CBSDs in the CBRS networksupporting a plurality of UE devices.

Elements or steps with the same reference numbers used in differentfigures are the same or similar and those elements or steps will not bedescribed in detail again.

FIG. 2 diagram 200 illustrates communications system 100 at a time T2after T1 when CBSD 2 104 has entered an activated state or mode. In theactivated state or mode, the CBSD 2 104 communicates with UE devices inits coverage area which attached to it. Circle 202 denotes a second cell202 of the CBRS network in which the CBSD 2 104 is located and thecoverage area supported by the CBSD 2 104. It should be noted that thecoverage area of the first cell 108 and the second cell 202 at time T2are overlapping with UE 1 110 and UE 2 112 being within the coveragearea of CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104. The CBSD 2 104 is illustrated asbeing in communication with UE 6 120, UE 7 122, UE 8 124 and UE 9 126over wireless communications links 208, 210, 212 and 214 respectively.It should also be noted that at time T2 CBSD 2 104 is also incommunication with UE 1 110 and UE 2 112 simultaneously with CBSD 1 102over wireless communications links 204 and 206 respectively as isfurther described below. The dashed lines 204 and 206 indicate that CBSD2 104 is communicating with UE 1 and UE 2 as part of CoMP session.

FIG. 3 diagram 300 illustrates communications system 100 at a time T3after T2 when CBSD 1 102 and CBSD2104 are both in an active mode ofoperation and CBSD 1 102 has a reduced wireless coverage area 108′. Thatis the first cell's coverage area has been reduced to only include UE 3114, UE 4 116, UE 5 118. The solid lines 204 and 206 indicate that CBSD2 104 is communicating with UE 1 110 and UE 2 112 after a handoff fromCBSD 1 to CBSD 2 or as a new connection to CBSD 2.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of an exemplary Citizens Broadband Radio ServiceDevice (CBSD) 400 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The CBSDdevice 400, in some embodiments, incorporates Long Term Evolution (LTE),e.g., 4G LTE, eNodeB base station/access point capabilities. The CBSDdevice 400 also includes the capabilities of a CBSD as defined by theFederal Communications Commission's Rules with Regard to CommercialOperations in the 3550-3650 MHz Band. Exemplary CBSD device 400 includesa wireless interface 404, a network interface 405, e.g., a wired oroptical interface, a processor 406, e.g., a CPU, an assembly of hardwarecomponents 408, e.g., an assembly of circuits, and I/O interface 410 andmemory 412 coupled together via a bus 409 over which the variouselements may interchange data and information. CBSD device 400 furtherincludes a speaker 452, a display 453, switches 456, keypad 458 andmouse 459 coupled to I/O interface 410, via which the various I/Odevices (452, 454, 456, 458, 459) may communicate with other elements(404, 406, 408, 412) of the CBSD device 400. Network interface 405includes a receiver 478 and a transmitter 480. In some embodiments,receiver 478 and transmitter 480 are part of a transceiver 484. Wirelessinterface 404 includes a wireless receiver 438 and a wirelesstransmitter 440. In some embodiments, receiver 438 and transmitter 440are part of a transceiver 442. In various embodiments, wirelessinterface 404 includes a plurality of wireless receivers and a pluralityof wireless transmitters. Wireless receiver 438 is coupled to aplurality of receive antennas (receive antenna 1 439, . . . , receiveantenna M 441), via which CBSD device 400 can receive wireless signalfrom other wireless communications devices including a second wirelesscommunications device, e.g., a UE device. Wireless transmitter 440 iscoupled to a plurality of wireless transmit antennas (transmit antenna 1443, . . . , transmit antenna N 445) via which the CBSD 400 can transmitsignals to other wireless communications devices including a secondwireless communications device, e.g., a UE device. Memory 412 includesan assembly of component 414, e.g., an assembly of software components,and data/information 416. Data/information 416 includes UE deviceinformation corresponding to a plurality of user equipment devices (UEdevice A information 417, . . . , UE device N information 419 where A toN are the UE devices being serviced by the CBSD for example CBSD 1 102services UE 1 . . . UE 5 as shown in FIG. 1 , UE transmit data buffer420, and Physical Cell Identifier List). In some embodiments, CBSD 1 102and/or CBSD 2 104, are implemented in accordance with CBSD 400.

FIG. 5 is a drawing of an exemplary user equipment (UE) device 500 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment. UE device 500 is, e.g., amobile device such as a cell phone, a smart phone, wireless tablet orwireless notebook. UE device 500, in some embodiments, includes LongTerm Evolution (LTE), e.g., 4G LTE, mobile device capabilities.Exemplary UE device 500 includes a wireless interface 504, a processor506, e.g., a CPU, an assembly of hardware components 508, e.g., anassembly of circuits, and I/O interface 510 and memory 512 coupledtogether via a bus 509 over which the various elements may interchangedata and information. UE device 500 further includes a microphone 550,camera 551, speaker 552, a display 553, e.g., a touch screen display,switches 556, keypad 558 and mouse 559 coupled to I/O interface 510, viawhich the various I/O devices (550, 551, 552, 554, 556, 558, 559) maycommunicate with other elements (504, 506, 508, 512) of the UE device.Network interface 505 includes a receiver 578 and a transmitter 580. Insome embodiments, receiver 578 and transmitter 580 are part of atransceiver 584. Wireless interface 504 includes a wireless receiver 538and a wireless transmitter 540. In some embodiments, receiver 538 andtransmitter 540 are part of a transceiver 524. In various embodiments,wireless interface 504 includes a plurality of wireless receivers and aplurality of wireless transmitters. Wireless receiver 538 is coupled toone or more receive antennas (receive antenna 1 539, . . . , receiveantenna M 541), via which UE device 500 can receive wireless signalsfrom other wireless communications devices including, e.g., a CBSDdevice such as CBSD 400. Wireless transmitter 540 is coupled to one ormore wireless transmit antennas (transmit antenna 1 543, . . . ,transmit antenna N 545) via which the UE device 500 can transmit signalsto other wireless communications device including a first wirelesscommunications device, e.g., a CBSD 400. Memory 412 includes an assemblyof components 414, e.g., an assembly of software components, anddata/information 416.

FIG. 6 is a drawing of an exemplary Spectrum Access System (SAS) device600 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The SAS 600 includes thecapabilities of a SAS as defined by the Federal CommunicationsCommission's Rules with Regard to Commercial Operations in the 3550-3650MHz Band. Exemplary SAS device 600 includes a network interface 605,e.g., a wired or optical interface, a processor 606, e.g., a CPU, anassembly of hardware components 608, e.g., an assembly of circuits, andI/O interface 610 and memory 612 coupled together via a bus 609 overwhich the various elements may interchange data and information. SAS 600further includes a speaker 652, a display 653, switches 656, keypad 658and mouse 659 coupled to I/O interface 610, via which the various I/Odevices (652, 654, 656, 658, 659) may communicate with other elements(606, 608, 612) of the SAS 600. Network interface 605 includes areceiver 678 and a transmitter 680. The network interface 605 istypically used to communicate with other SAS devices and CBSD devices.In some embodiments, receiver 678 and transmitter 680 are part of atransceiver 684. Memory 612 includes an assembly of component 614, e.g.,an assembly of software components, and data/information 616.Data/information 616 includes CBSD device information corresponding to aplurality of CBSD devices (CBSD device 1 information 102, . . . , CBSDdevice 2 information 104). In some embodiments, SAS 1 106 is implementedin accordance with CBSD 400.

FIG. 7 is a drawing of an exemplary assembly of components 700 which maybe included in an exemplary CBSD device, e.g., exemplary CBSD 400 ofFIG. 4 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The components inthe assembly of components 700 can, and in some embodiments are,implemented fully in hardware within a processor, e.g., processor 406,e.g., as individual circuits. The components in the assembly ofcomponents 700 can, and in some embodiments are, implemented fully inhardware within the assembly of hardware components 408, e.g., asindividual circuits corresponding to the different components. In otherembodiments some of the components are implemented, e.g., as circuits,within processor 406 with other components being implemented, e.g., ascircuits within assembly of components 408, external to and coupled tothe processor 406. As should be appreciated the level of integration ofcomponents on the processor and/or with some components being externalto the processor may be one of design choice. Alternatively, rather thanbeing implemented as circuits, all or some of the components may beimplemented in software and stored in the memory 412 of the CBSD device400, with the components controlling operation of CBSD device 400 toimplement the functions corresponding to the components when thecomponents are executed by a processor e.g., processor 406. In some suchembodiments, the assembly of components 700 is included in the memory412 as assembly of software components 414. In still other embodiments,various components in assembly of components 700 are implemented as acombination of hardware and software, e.g., with another circuitexternal to the processor providing input to the processor which thenunder software control operates to perform a portion of a component'sfunction.

When implemented in software the components include code, which whenexecuted by a processor, e.g., processor 406, configure the processor toimplement the function corresponding to the component. In embodimentswhere the assembly of components 700 is stored in the memory 412, thememory 412 is a computer program product comprising a computer readablemedium comprising code, e.g., individual code for each component, forcausing at least one computer, e.g., processor 406, to implement thefunctions to which the components correspond.

Completely hardware based or completely software based components may beused. However, it should be appreciated that any combination of softwareand hardware, e.g., circuit implemented components may be used toimplement the functions. As should be appreciated, the componentsillustrated in FIG. 7 control and/or configure the CBSD device 400 orelements therein such as the processor 406, to perform the functions ofcorresponding steps illustrated and/or described in the method of one ormore of the flowcharts, signaling diagrams and/or described with respectto any of the Figures. Thus the assembly of components 700 includesvarious components that perform functions of corresponding one or moredescribed and/or illustrated steps of an exemplary method.

Assembly of components 700 includes a control routines component 702, anactivation component 704, a power down component 706, an UE averagingcomponent 708, an UE cell location component 710, an UE Inactivity TimerAdjustment Component 712, a message generator component 714, a new CBSDPCI determinator component 716, a X2 connection establishment component718, a CoMP participation session establishment component 720 and a CoMPsession termination component 722. The control routines component 702 isconfigured to control operation of the CBSD. The activation component704 is configured to notify the SAS in the system prior to activationand then to activate by begin to communication with user equipmentdevices via wireless radio transmissions. The power down component 706is configured to control the operation of the CBSD to reduce thetransmitted power level of transmissions from the CBSD to UE devices inaccordance with instructions from a power management Spectrum AccessSystem device managing spectrum allocation and electromagneticinterference in the CBSD's CBRS coverage area. UE average component 708is configured to determine the average number of UEs in the CBSD's CBRScoverage area over a predetermined period of time. The UE cell locationcomponent 710 is configured to determine the location of UE devicesbeing serviced by the CBSD in the CBSD's coverage area/cell. The UE celllocation component 710 is also configured to group the UEs beingserviced by the CBSD into a group of edge UEs or a group of cell centerUEs based on an indicator of the UE's distance from the center of thecell, the indicator of UE distance from the center of the cell being oneof Reference Signal Received power information or UE timing advanceinformation. UE inactivity timer adjustment component 712 is configuredto increase or decrease the inactivity timer for UEs being serviced bythe CBSD. The message generator component is configured to generatemessages for transmission to other devices including X2 setup,connection and teardown message, Coordinated Multi-point Participation(CoMP) request, acceptance, teardown and termination messages, requestfor IP address messages, acknowledgement messages, data transmissionmessages. The new CBSD PCI determinator component is configured todetermine the physical cell identifier (PCI) of a new CBSD that has beenactivated based on comparing PCI identifiers reported by UEs beingserviced by the CBSD after activation of the new CBSD to a list of PCIidentifiers stored in memory before the activation of the new CBSD anddetermining that the PCI which is not on the list of previously reportedPCI identifiers corresponds to the new CBSD's PCI. The X2 connectionestablishment component 718 is configured to establish an X2 connectionwith another CBSD. The CoMP Participation session establishment 720 isconfigured to establish a CoMP participation session with another CBSD.The CoMP session termination component 722 is configured to terminate orteardown a CoMP session.

FIG. 8 is a drawing of an exemplary assembly of components 800 which maybe included in an exemplary user equipment (UE) device, e.g., UE device500 of FIG. 5 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Thecomponents in the assembly of components 800 can, and in someembodiments are, implemented fully in hardware within a processor, e.g.,processor 506, e.g., as individual circuits. The components in theassembly of components 800 can, and in some embodiments are, implementedfully in hardware within the assembly of hardware components 508, e.g.,as individual circuits corresponding to the different components. Inother embodiments some of the components are implemented, e.g., ascircuits, within processor 506 with other components being implemented,e.g., as circuits within assembly of components 508, external to andcoupled to the processor 506. As should be appreciated the level ofintegration of components on the processor and/or with some componentsbeing external to the processor may be one of design choice.Alternatively, rather than being implemented as circuits, all or some ofthe components may be implemented in software and stored in the memory512 of the UE device 500, with the components controlling operation ofUE device 500 to implement the functions corresponding to the componentswhen the components are executed by a processor e.g., processor 506. Insome such embodiments, the assembly of components 800 is included in thememory 512 as assembly of software components 514. In still otherembodiments, various components in assembly of components 800 areimplemented as a combination of hardware and software, e.g., withanother circuit external to the processor providing input to theprocessor which then under software control operates to perform aportion of a component's function. When implemented in software thecomponents include code, which when executed by a processor, e.g.,processor 506, configure the processor to implement the functioncorresponding to the component. In embodiments where the assembly ofcomponents 800 is stored in the memory 512, the memory 512 is a computerprogram product comprising a computer readable medium comprising code,e.g., individual code for each component, for causing at least onecomputer, e.g., processor 506, to implement the functions to which thecomponents correspond.

Completely hardware based or completely software based components may beused. However, it should be appreciated that any combination of softwareand hardware, e.g., circuit implemented components may be used toimplement the functions. As should be appreciated, the componentsillustrated in FIG. 8 control and/or configure the UE device 500 orelements therein such as the processor 506, to perform the functions ofcorresponding steps illustrated and/or described in the method of one ormore of the flowcharts, signaling diagrams and/or described with respectto any of the Figures. Thus the assembly of components 800 includesvarious components that perform functions of corresponding one or moredescribed and/or illustrated steps of an exemplary method.

Assembly of components 800 includes a control routines component 802, amessage generator component 804, a UE inactivity timer component 806,and a reference signal received power component. The control routinescomponent 802 is configured to control operation of the UE. The messagegenerator component 804 is configured to generate messages fortransmission to CBSD devices. The reference signal received powercomponent 808 is configured to measure the average power received from asingle cell specific Reference Signal Resource Element (e.g., each CBSDfrom which a signal is received by the UE) and to determine thecorresponding physical cell identifier corresponding to the ReferenceSignal Resource Element from which the signal was received for reportingto the CBSD device servicing the UE.

FIG. 9 is a drawing of an exemplary assembly of components 900 which maybe included in an exemplary SAS device, e.g., exemplary SAS 600 of FIG.6 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The components in theassembly of components 900 can, and in some embodiments are, implementedfully in hardware within a processor, e.g., processor 606, e.g., asindividual circuits. The components in the assembly of components 900can, and in some embodiments are, implemented fully in hardware withinthe assembly of hardware components 608, e.g., as individual circuitscorresponding to the different components. In other embodiments some ofthe components are implemented, e.g., as circuits, within processor 606with other components being implemented, e.g., as circuits withinassembly of components 608, external to and coupled to the processor606. As should be appreciated the level of integration of components onthe processor and/or with some components being external to theprocessor may be one of design choice. Alternatively, rather than beingimplemented as circuits, all or some of the components may beimplemented in software and stored in the memory 612 of the SAS 600,with the components controlling operation of SAS 600 to implement thefunctions corresponding to the components when the components areexecuted by a processor e.g., processor 606. In some such embodiments,the assembly of components 900 is included in the memory 612 as assemblyof software components 614. In still other embodiments, variouscomponents in assembly of components 900 are implemented as acombination of hardware and software, e.g., with another circuitexternal to the processor providing input to the processor which thenunder software control operates to perform a portion of a component'sfunction.

When implemented in software the components include code, which whenexecuted by a processor, e.g., processor 606, configure the processor toimplement the function corresponding to the component. In embodimentswhere the assembly of components 900 is stored in the memory 612, thememory 612 is a computer program product comprising a computer readablemedium comprising code, e.g., individual code for each component, forcausing at least one computer, e.g., processor 606, to implement thefunctions to which the components correspond.

Completely hardware based or completely software based components may beused. However, it should be appreciated that any combination of softwareand hardware, e.g., circuit implemented components may be used toimplement the functions. As should be appreciated, the componentsillustrated in FIG. 9 control and/or configure the SAS 600 or elementstherein such as the processor 606, to perform the functions ofcorresponding steps illustrated and/or described in the method of one ormore of the flowcharts, signaling diagrams and/or described with respectto any of the Figures. Thus the assembly of components 900 includesvarious components that perform functions of corresponding one or moredescribed and/or illustrated steps of an exemplary method.

Assembly of components 900 includes a control routines component 902, amessage generator component 904, an electromagnetic interferencedetermination component 906, and a power determination for active CBSDcomponent. The control routines component 902 is configured to controloperation of the SAS. The message generator component 904 is configuredto generate messages for transmission to CBSD devices, e.g., power downinstruction messages. The electromagnetic interference determinationcomponent is configured to determine actual or potential electromagneticinterference to be caused by wireless, e.g., radio transmission fromactive CBSD devices or CBSDs devices which are to become active. Thepower management component 908 is configured to manage powertransmission levels to maximize usage of spectrum while minimizinginterference. The power management component 908 determines the powertransmission level reductions for CBSDs when a new CBSD is activated andadded to the CBRS network. The spectrum management component 910 isconfigured to manage the allocation of frequency spectrum in the CBRSnetwork.

FIG. 10 , which comprises the combination of FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10Cillustrates an exemplary communications method 1000 including steps of amethod operating a first CBSD in a first cell and steps of operatinganother CBSD in another cell. FIG. 10A illustrates the steps of thefirst part of an exemplary method 1000 in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 10B illustrates the steps of the secondpart of an exemplary method 1000 in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 10C illustrates the steps of the third partof an exemplary method 1000 in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

For explanatory purposes the exemplary method 1000 will be explained inconnection with the exemplary communications system 100 illustrated inFIG. 1 although it should be understand that the method may beimplemented using other systems and other system configurations thenthose illustrated in FIG. 1 .

The method 1000 shown in FIG. 10 will now be discussed in detail. Themethod starts in start step 1002 shown on FIG. 10A with the devices insystem 100 being initialized and becoming operational. CBSD 2 104 whileoperational is not in an active mode or state, i.e., CBSD 2 104 is notcommunicating with any UE devices but may be, and in some embodiments isin communication with the SAS 106. Over the air communications links orchannels are established between UE 1 110, UE 2 112, UE 3 114, UE 4 116,and UE 5 118 over which packets of data are transmitted from the CBSD 1102 to the UE devices in the cell 108.

Operation proceeds from start step 1002 to step 1004.

In step 1004, the first CBSD, e.g., CBSD 1 102, is operated to receive apower down message from a Spectrum Access Server, e.g., SAS 106. Thepower down message is a message instructing the first CBSD to reduce thepower level of its over the air radio transmission communicationssignals to the UE devices it is communicating with in the first cell(108). An SAS device will transmit such a power down message to thefirst CBSD when another CBSD, e.g., CBSD 2 104, becomes active or entersan active mode or state where it begins transmitting to UE devices inits coverage area. The SAS device transmits the power down command toprevent interference of the radio transmissions of the first CBSD andthe additional CBSD which has entered an active mode or state ofoperation, i.e., the additional CBSD begins transmitting messages to UEdevices. The CBSD receives typically receives the power down messagefrom the SAS by the receiver 478 of the network interface 405. Operationproceeds from step 1004 to step 1006.

In step 1006, the first CBSD is operated to receive at the first CBSDReference Signal Received Power (RSRP) information and correspondingPhysical Cell Identifier (PCI) information from at least a first edge UEdevice, e.g., UE 1 110. The Reference Signal Received Power informationprovides information on at least one additional CBSD, e.g., CBSD 2 104,which can communicate with the first edge UE, e.g., UE 1 110. Operationproceeds from step 1006 to step 1008.

In step 1008, the first CBSD is operated to group UE devices beingserved by the first CBSD into a group of edge UE devices and a group ofcell center UE devices. The groupings being based on an indicator of UEdistance from the center of the cell. The indicator of UE distance fromthe center of the cell being one of reference signal received powerinformation or UE timing advance information. In the example of system100 shown in FIG. 1 , the CBSD 1 102 of cell 108 is in over the airwireless communications with UE 1 110, UE 2 112, UE 3 114, UE 4 116, andUE 5 118. The CBSD 1 groups the UE 1 110 and UE 2 112 into a group ofedge of cell UEs and the UEs UE 3 114, UE 4 116, and UE 5 118 into agroup of cell center UEs based on the reference signal received powerinformation received from the UEs or UE timing advance information.Operation proceeds from step 1008 to step 1010.

In step 1010, the first CBSD is operated in response to the power downmessage to decrease the UE inactivity timer length for one or more UEsfrom a first length to a second length. The second length is shorterthan the first length. In the exemplary embodiment, one or more UEs inthe group of the cell center UEs (UE 3 114, UE 4 116 and UE 5 118) aresent a message to decrease their UE inactivity timer. In someembodiments in addition to the first CBSD being operated to decrease theUE inactivity timer length for one or more UEs, the first CBSD isoperated to send a message to one or more UEs in the cell to increasetheir inactivity timer length. For example, in some embodiments, thefirst CBSD is operated to send a message to one or more UEs in the groupof cell edge UEs (UE 1 110 and UE 2 112) to increase their UE inactivitytimer length from a fifth length to a sixth length wherein the sixthlength is longer than the fifth length. Operation proceeds from step1010 to step 1012.

In step 1012, the first CBSD is operated to transmit packets to UEs atan edge of the first cell, e.g., UE 1 110 and UE 2 112 which are on theedge of cell 108. Operation proceeds from step 1012 to step 1014.

In step 1014, the first CBSD (e.g., CBSD 1 102) is operated to establisha connection (e.g., X2 connection) with the another CBSD (e.g., CBSD 2104). In some embodiments, this step includes the first CBSD requestingthe address of the additional CBSD (e.g., CBSD 2 104) from a MobilityManagement Entity device (e.g., MME 150 of FIG. 1 ) using the PhysicalCell Identifier (PCI) information received from the at least a firstcell edge UE (e.g., UE 1 102) in step 1006. Operation proceeds from step1014 to step 1016.

In step 1016, the first CBSD (e.g., CBSD 1 102) is operated to send aCoordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) Participation request message to theadditional CBSD (CBSD 2 104). Operation proceeds from step 1016 viaconnection node A 1018 to step 1020 shown on FIG. 10B.

In step 1020, the additional CBSD is operated to receive the CoordinatedMulti-point (CoMP) Participation request message sent by the first CBSD.Operation proceeds from step 1020 to step 1022.

In step 1022, the additional CBSD is operated to make a determination toaccept the CoMP participation request and to generate a CoMP requestacceptance message indicating that the additional CBSD is willing toassist in the communication of packets. In this example, the packets areto be sent to the UE 1 102. Operation proceeds from step 1022 to step1024.

In step 1024, the additional CBSD is operated to send the generated CoMPrequest acceptance message to the first CBSD. Operation proceeds fromstep 1024 to step 1026.

In step 1026, the first CBSD is operated to receive the CoMP requestacceptance message indicating that the additional CBSD is willing toassist in the communication of packets. Operation proceeds from step1026 to step 1028.

In step 1028, the first CBSD is operated to communicate a first set ofpackets in the first CBSD transmit buffer to the another CBSD via theestablished connection, e.g., an established communications link, withthe additional CBSD. The first set of packets being packets fortransmission, (e.g., to be transmitted) to the first edge UE, e.g., UE 1102) as part of a CoMP session. Operation proceeds from step 1028 tostep 1030.

In step 1030, the additional CBSD (e.g., CBSD 2 104) is operated todecrease, in response to the (CoMP) participation request message, theUE inactivity timer length for one or more UEs connected to theadditional CBSD (e.g., from a third length to a fourth length, thefourth length being shorter than said third length). In someembodiments, the UE inacitivity timer length is decreased for all UEsconnected to the additional CBSD without regard to whether they are edgeof cell UEs or center cell UEs. Operation proceeds from step 1030 tostep 1032.

In step 1032, the first CBSD and the additional CBSD are both operatedto transmit the first set of packets over the air to the first edge UEdevice (e.g., UE 1 102). In the exemplary embodiment both the first CBSDand the additional CBSD simultaneously or in parallel transmit the firstset of packets over the air to first edge UE device. Operation proceedsfrom step 1032 to step 1034.

In step 1034, the first CBSD is operated to terminate a wirelessconnection to the first edge UE after successful communication of thefirst set of packets to the first edge UE. In the exemplary embodiment,after the packets in the first CBSD's transmit buffer to be transmittedto the first edge UE (e.g., UE 1 110) at the time the power down messagewas received are successfully transmitted to the first edge UE, thefirst CBSD terminates the radio connection between the first CBSD andthe first edge UE thereby freeing up resources that were being used tocommunicate with the first edge UE. Operation proceeds from step 1034via connection node B 1036 to step 1038 shown on FIG. 10C.

In step 1038, the first CBSD is operated to increase UE inactivity timerlength for a second UE (e.g., UE 3 106), following termination of awireless connection, e.g., a radio connection, with the first edge UE(UE 102). The second UE being one of the one or more UEs for which theUE Inactivity timer was decreased from the first length to the secondlength. In some embodiments, step 1038 includes sub-step 1040. Insub-step 1040, the first CBSD is operated to change a length of a secondUE inactivity timer from the second length to the first length, thefirst length being longer than the second length. Operation proceedsfrom step 1038 to step 1042.

In step 1042, the first CBSD completes a handoff of the first edge UE(e.g., UE 1 102) from the first CBSD (CBSD 1 102) to the additional CBSD(CBSD 2 104). Operation proceeds from step 1042 via connection C 1044 tostep 1004 shown on FIG. 10A wherein the steps of the method are repeatedupon the receipt of another power down message from the SAS.

FIG. 11 , which comprises the combination of FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C and 11Dillustrates another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Itillustrates a communications method 1100 including steps of acommunications method for minimizing, reducing and/or eliminatingservice disruptions and/or service degradations for users when a CBSD isactivated and begins transmitting in the geographical proximity of anexisting currently active CBSD. FIG. 11A illustrates the steps of thefirst part of an exemplary method 1100 in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 11B illustrates the steps of the secondpart of an exemplary method 1100 in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 11C illustrates the steps of the third partof an exemplary method 1100 in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 11D illustrates the steps of the third part ofan exemplary method 1100 in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

For explanatory purposes the exemplary method 1100 will be explained inconnection with the exemplary communications system 100 illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3 although it should be understand that the method may beimplemented using other systems and other system configurations thenthose illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 .

The method 1100 shown in FIG. 11 will now be discussed in detail. Themethod starts in start step 1102 shown on FIG. 11A with the devices incommunications system 100 being initialized and becoming operational.CBSD 2 104 while operational is not in an active mode or state ofoperation, i.e., CBSD 2 104 is not communicating with any UE devices butmay be, and in some embodiments is, in communication with the SAS 1 106.Over the air communications links or channels are established between UE1 110, UE 2 112, UE 3 114, UE 4 116, and UE 5 118 over which packets ofdata are transmitted from the CBSD 1 102 to the UE devices in the cell108. UE 6 120, UE 7 122, UE 8 124, UE 9 126 are not within the coveragearea of CBSD 1 102 as shown by these devices being located outside thecell 108. Operation proceeds from start step 102 to step 104.

In step 104, each CBSD in the CBRS network determines/calculates thenumber of UEs in its coverage area for a pre-determined duration of timein the CBRS network. From this information each CBSD can determineand/or derive information on its current UE load. In some embodiments,each CBSD transmits this UE load information to a Spectrum Access System(SAS) managing the power levels of the CBSDs in its assigned CBRSnetwork coverage area. The CBSDs can use this UE load information formanaging UEs and determining how best to respond to a power down orpower reduction command from a SAS taking into consideration the effectthe power down command will have given the existing UE load on the CBSDat the time the power down command is to be implemented. With respect tocommunications system 100, the CBSD 1 102 is the only currently activeCBSD in the CBRS network as CBSD 2 104 is not in an active state at timeT1 as shown in FIG. 1 . The CBSD 1 102 determines that there are 5 UEs(UE 1 110, UE 2 112, UE 3 114, UE 4 116 and UE 5 118) in its coveragearea which is cell 108. SAS 1 106 of system 100 is the Spectrum AccessSystem managing the electromagnetic interference caused by the CBSD 1102 over the air transmission via controlling the transmit power levelsof the CBSD 1 102 through control message sent to the CBSD 1 102 fromthe SAS 1 106. The data packets of various communications session, e.g.,video sessions, being sent to and from the UE devices in the cell 108are transmitted to outside communications networks or operator's IPservices 158 via the serving gateway 154 and the PDN gateway 156. TheCBSD 1 102 includes a data buffer, e.g., memory storage, in whichmessages sent to the UEs currently being supported by the CBSD 1 102 arestored as they are transmitted to each of the UEs to which they aredestined. Operation proceeds from step 1104 to step 1106.

In step 1106, a new CBSD is created/activated, e.g., it beginstransmitting to UEs in the CBRS network. With respect to communicationssystem 100, CBSD 2 104 is the new CBSD which is turned on/activated andbegins transmitting to the UEs in the CBRS network. In this example CBSD2 begins transmitting to UE 6 120, UE 7 122, UE 8 124 and UE 9 126 overwireless communications links/channels 208, 210, 212 and 214respectively. These UEs have attached themselves to the new CBSD (CBSD 2104) which supports UEs in cell 202. UE 1 110 and UE 2 112 receivestransmissions from CBSD 2 104 which include the physical cell identifierfor CBSD 2 104 but they remain attached to and supported by CBSD 1 102which is sometimes referred to in the method example 1100 as the oldCBSD. Operation proceeds from step 1106 to step 1108.

In step 1108, the old CBSD, e.g., CBSD 1 102, receives, e.g., from SAS 1106, a power down message indicating that its transmit power needs to bereduced. In response to the received power down command received by theold CBSD 1 102, the old CBSD 1 102 will begin transmitting in accordancewith the new lower transmission power constraints. As a result thereduction in available power, the old CBSD (CBSD 1 102) will havedifficulty communicating with devices at the edge of the cell 108 ifcommunication with other UEs is maintained at the same rate as beforethe power down instruction was implemented. Operation proceeds from step1108 to 1110.

In step 1110, the old CBSD (CBSD 1 102) determines the UEs on the edgeof its cell coverage area and the UEs in its coverage area that are noton the cell edge, e.g., UEs that located in the cell center or cellmiddle. In the example of system 100, the user equipment devices UE 1110 and UE 2 112 are edge cell UEs which are located on the edge of cell108. The user equipment devices UE 3 114, UE 4 116, and UE 5 118 areuser equipment devices which the CBSD 1 102 determines are not edge cellUEs. In some embodiments, step 1110 includes sub-step 1111. In sub-step1111, the old CBSD (CBSD 1 102) determines whether each UE in itscoverage area (cell 108) is an edge UE based on power headroom valuesand/or timing advance values reported to the old CBSD from each UE. Forexample, if a UE resports a headroom value less than 3 than the UE isdetermined to an edge UE. Operation proceeds from step 1110 to step1112.

In step 1112, the old CBSD (CBSD 1 102) to free up resources on atemporary basis to allow the old CBSD to complete transmission ofpackets in its transmit buffer for UEs at the cell edge before the oldCBSD terminates transmission to the edge cell UEs due to the power downinstruction, decreases the “UE Inactivity timer” in the UEs in its CBRScoverage area (i.e., located in cell 108) which it has determined arenot cell edge UEs. Operation proceeds from step 1112 to step 1114.

UEs not on the cell edge are likely to be supported after the power downcommand has been implemented and the cell coverage is reduced. In thisexample, the UE inactivity timer for UE 3 114, UE 4 116 and UE 5 118 aredecreased from a first length to a second length wherein the secondlength is less than the first length. The amount of reduction isdetermined at least in some embodiments based on the amount of powerlevel transmission reduction required by the power down command receivedby the old CBSD from the SAS 1 106. By decreasing the inactivity timerfor the non-cell edge UEs, these non-edge cell UEs will stay in RadioResource Control (RRC) Idle mode for a longer time and thereby leave theold CBSD (CBSD 1 102) resources to be used for the cell edge UEs whichin this example are UE 1 110 and UE 2 112. By transitioning the non-edgecell UEs into an idle state the transmission resources including powerand/or bandwidth previously being used by these non-edge cell UEs isfreed up for communicating remaining packets in the old CBSD's transmitbuffer to UEs (UE 1 110 and UE 2 112) on the edge of cell 108 which arelikely to be dropped after a brief period of time, e.g., a few seconds,due to the reduction in transmission power. While the CBSD may transmitto the cell edge UEs at a lower power level and thus potentially at alower data rate to use a lower modulation order or level because of thereduction in the transmit power levels, the CBSD will still be able toempty its transmit buffer of packets directed to the UEs at the celledge which were present at the time the power reduction instruction wasreceived.

In step 1114, the old CBSD (CBSD 1 102) increases the “UE Inactivitytimer” in the UEs it determined are the cell edge UEs (UE 1 110 and UE 1112) thereby giving the UEs on the edge of the cell more of a chance toreceive data from the old CBSD. By increasing the UE inactivity timerfor UEs on the cell edge these UEs will stay for a shorter period oftime in RRC Idle mode. The cell edge UEs UE 1 110 and UE 2 112 havethere UE inactivity timer increased from a third length to a fourthlength wherein the further length is greater than the third length. Inembodiments were the old CBSD had the UE inactivity timer set to thesame value for all UEs at the time that the power down instruction wasreceived, the third length would be equal to the first length and thefourth length would greater than the first length. Operation proceedsfrom step 1114 to step 1115.

In step 1115, the old CBSD (CBSD 102) continues to transmit data fromits transmit data buffer to the cell edge UEs (UE 1 110 and UE 2 112).Operation proceeds from step 1115 to step 1116.

In step 1116, the old CBSD requests UEs it is servicing to measure thestrength of signals being received from all neighbor CBSDs and to reportthe strength of the received signal along with the correspondingphysical cell identifier (PCI) of the CBSD from which the UE receivedthe signal. In this example, the cell 108 edge UEs (UE 1 110 and UE 2112) are also within the CBRS coverage range of the new CBSD (CBSD 2104) cell 202 as shown in FIG. 2 and will receive and report the signalstrength and PCI of the new CBSD to the old CBSD (CBSD 1 102). Operationproceeds from step 1116 to step 1118.

In step 1118, the old CBSD (CBSD 1 102), determines the PCI of the newCBSD (CBSD 2 104) by comparing all the PCIs reported by the UEs to the alist of PCIs in the old CBSD's memory and identifies the PCI of the newCBSD (CBSD 2 104) by identifying the PCI reported which is not includedin the list of PCIs in its memory. Operation proceeds from step 1118 tostep 1121 shown on FIG. 11B via connection node D 1120.

In step 1121, the old CBSD continues to transmit data to the cell edgeUEs. Operation proceeds from step 1121 to step 1122.

In step 1122, the old CBSD obtains the Internet Protocol (IP) addressfor the new CBSD (CBSD 2 104) from a memory mobility entity (e.g., MME152) based on the PCI determined by the old CBSD as corresponding to thenew CBSD. In some embodiments, the step 1122 includes one or more ofsub-steps 1124, 1126, 1128, and 1130.

In sub-step 1124, the old CBSD generates and transmits to the MME amessage requesting the IP address corresponding to the PCI determined tocorrespond to the new CBSD. Operation proceeds from sub-step 1124 tosub-step 1126.

In sub-step 1126, the MME (e.g., MME 152 of system 100) receives therequest message from the old CBSD and determines the IP address of thenew CBSD based on the determined PCI provided in the request message.Operation proceeds from sub-step 1126 to sub-step 1128.

In step 1128, the MME in response to the request message from the oldCBSD generates and transmits to the old CBSD a message including the IPaddress of the new CBSD which correspond to the PCI provided by the oldCBSD. Operation proceeds from sub-step 1128 to sub-step 1130.

In sub-step 1130, the old CBSD receives the message providing the IPaddress of the new CBSD from the MME. Operation proceeds from step 1122to step 1132.

In step 1132, the old CBSD generates and transmits an X2 connectionrequest message to the new CBSD using the new CBSD IP address obtainedfrom the MME. An X2 connection is established between the old CBSD (CBSD1 102) and the new CBSD (CBSD 2 104), for example over communicationslink 128. Operation proceeds from step 1132 to step 1134.

In step 1134, the old CBSD (CBSD 1 102), generates and transmits aCoordinated Multipoint Participation (CoMP) Request message to the newCBSD (CBSD 2 104). Operation proceeds from step 1134 to step 1136.

In step 1136, the new CBSD (CBSD 2 104) receives the CoMP ParticipationRequest message transmitted from the old CBSD (CBSD 1 102). Operationproceeds from step 1136 to step 1138.

In step 1138, the new CBSD (CBSD 2 104) determines to accept the CoMPParticipation request and generates a CoMP participation acceptancemessage. Operation proceeds from step 1138 to step 1140.

In step 1140, the new CBSD (CBSD 2 104) transmits the generated CoMPparticipation acceptance message to the old CBSD (CBSD 1 102) overcommunications link 128. Operation proceeds from step 1140 viaconnection node E 1142 to step 1144 illustrated on FIG. B.

In step 1144, new CBSD (CBSD 2 104) decreases the UE inactivity timerfor all UEs in its CBRS coverage area which includes the UEs located incell 202 and which are attached to and being serviced by the new CBSD(CBSD 2 104). These UEs include UE 6 120, UE 7 122, UE 8 124 and UE 9126. By decreasing the UE inactivity timer for these UEs these UEs willstay in RRC idle mode for a longer period of time will not ask for datafrom the new CBSD (CBSD 2 104) thereby freeing up resources for use incommunicating with the UEs that will be participating in the CoMPtransmission which in this case are the cell edge UEs, UE 1 110 and UE 2112 which are in the old CMSD coverage (cell 108). Operation proceedsfrom step 1144 to step 1146.

In step 1146, the old CBSD (CBSD 1 102) receives the CoMP participationacceptance message from the new CBSD (CBSD 2 104). Operation proceedsfrom step 1146 to step 1148.

In step 1148, the old and new CBSD start a CoMP session to transmit datato the old CBSD's cell edge UEs that are in the new CBSD's coverage area(cell 202) which are UE 1 110 and UE 2 112. Operation proceeds from step1148 to step 1150.

In step 1150, the old CBSD (CBSD 1 102) transmits data from its UE datatransmit buffer in downlink to the new CBSD over the established X2connection between the old CBSD (CBSD 1 102) and the new CBSD (CBSD 2104) for the cell edge UEs located in both the old and new CBSD coveragearea which in this example are UE 1 110 and UE 2 112. Operation proceedsfrom step 1150 to step 1152.

In step 1152, the CoMP session continues until all data in the oldCBSD's data transmit buffer for the cell edge UEs located in both theold and new CBSD coverage area has been transmitted to the cell edge UEsby the old and new CBSDs. With CoMP transmissions both the old and newCBSD devices simultaneously, at the same time and/or in paralleltransmit information to the cell edge UEs (UE 1 110 and UE 2 112). Thepurpose of this is that since the coverage of the old CBSD is shrinking,the old CBSD will receive assistance from the new CBSD to transmit allthe data that the cell edge UEs have requested and transmit all theinformation in the old CBSD's UE transmit buffer to these cell edge UEsso that these cell edge UEs will not experience service interruption bywaiting for a new connection as part of a handover or will at leastminimize or reduce the service interruption while waiting for a newconnection or provide a graceful termination before the radio connectionwith the old CBSD is dropped if no handover is to be implemented.Operation proceeds from step 1152 to step 1154.

In step 1154, the old CBSD (CBSD 1 102) generates a CoMP sessionteardown message upon completion of transmission of all data in the oldCBSD's transmit buffer to the cell edge UEs (UE 1 110 and UE 2 112)located in both the old and new CBSD CBRS coverage (cell 108 and cell202 of FIG. 2 ). The data in the old CBSD's transmit buffer is the datathat was in the buffer at the time it received the power downinstruction. The old CBSD does not continue to place new data receivedfrom the serving gateway for the cell edge UEs in the new buffer once itdetermines that it coverage is shrinking so as to exclude the cell edgeUEs. Operation proceeds from step 1154 to step 1156.

In step 1156 the old CBSD transmits the generated CoMP session teardownmessage to the new CBSD over the X2 connection. Operation proceeds fromstep 1156 to step 1160 shown on FIG. 11D via connection node F 1158.

In step 1160, the new CBSD (CBSD 2 104) receives the CoMP sessionteardown message from the old CBSD (CBSD 1 102). Operation proceeds fromstep 1160 to step 1162.

In step 1162, the new CBSD (CBSD 2 104) generate a CoMP session teardownacceptance message. Operation proceeds from step 1162 to step 1164.

In step 1164, the new CBSD (CBSD 2 104) transmits the generated CoMPsession teardown acceptance message to the old CBSD (CBSD 1 102).Operation proceeds from step 1164 to step 1166.

In step 1166, the CoMP session is torn down/terminated. Operationproceeds from step 1166 to step 1168.

In step 1168, the old CBSD increases the UE Inactivity timer for all UEsremaining in its coverage area. In some embodiments, step 1168 includessub-step 1170. In sub-step 1170, the old CBSD cell coverage is reducedwith the cell edge UEs (UE 1 110 and UE 2 112) being dropped fromcoverage by the old CBSD as the old CBSD transmit power level has beenreduced in accordance with the SAS 1 power down instruction and the oldCBSD increases the UE inactivity timer for UEs remaining its shrunkencell (FIG. 3 cell 108′) that had there inactivity timer previouslyincreased. In this example, FIG. 3 cell 108′ illustrates the old CBSD 2(CBSD 1 102) shrunken CBRS coverage area in which UE 1 110 and UE 2 112are no longer being serviced as they are outside of the cell 108′ but UE3 114, UE 4 116 and UE 5 116 continues to be services by the old CBSD(CBSD 1 102) as they are located in the cell 108′. Operation proceedsfrom step 1168 to step 1174.

In step 1174, the new CBSD (CBSD 2 104) increases the UE inactivitytimer for UEs in its coverage area cell 202 that had there inactivitytimer previously decreased. In some embodiments, UE 1 110 and UE 2 112the cell edge UEs are handed off from old CBSD (CBSD 1 102) to the newCBSD (CBSD 2 104) after the completion of the CoMP transmission andthereafter serviced by the new CBSD. FIG. 3 illustrates system 100 at atime T3 after the completion of the CoMP transmission and powering downof the old CBSD and increasing UE inactivity timers. Operation proceedsfrom step 1174 via connection node 1176 to step 1104 illustrated on FIG.11A wherein the process is repeated when a another CBSD is added to theCBRS system.

In some embodiments, the old CBSD does not perform steps 1122 to 1174and does not setup a CoMP session but merely continues to transmit thedata in its UE transmit buffer to the cell edge UEs until all the datahas been transmitted to the cell edge UE devices at which time the oldCBSD increases the UE Inactivity timer for UEs in its coverage area forwhich it previously decreased the UE Inactivity timer and drops the celledge UEs due to the power reduction required by the power down command.While setting up the CoMP session provides an additional mechanism fortransmitting the buffered data to the cell edge UEs, the new CBSD maynot always be able to or willing to accept the CoMP request, in suchinstances the old CBSD can still continue to transmit to the cell edgeUEs until it empties it transmit buffer while the non-edge cell UEsremain for a longer time in the idle state due to the decreased UEinactivity timer.

List of Set of Exemplary Numbered Method Embodiments:

Method Embodiment 1. A communications method including operating a firstCBSD of a first cell, the method comprising: receiving a power downmessage at the first CBSD; decreasing, in response to the power downmessage, UE inactivity timer length for one or more UEs from a firstlength to a second length; and continuing to transmit packets to UEs atan edge of the first cell.

Method Embodiment 2. The method of method embodiment 1, furthercomprising: operating the first CBSD to group UEs being served by thefirst CBSD into a group of edge UEs and a group of cell center UEs, saidgrouping being based on an indicator of UE distance from the center ofthe cell, said indicator of UE distance from the center of the cellbeing one of Reference Signal Received power information or UE timingadvance information.

Method Embodiment 3. The method of method embodiment 2, wherein saidstep of decreasing UE inactivity timer length is performed for UEs insaid cell center group of UEs and is not performed for UEs in said groupof edge UEs.

Method Embodiment 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:receiving at said first CBSD RSRP (reference signal received powerinformation) and corresponding PCI information from at least a firstedge UE, said RSRP information providing information on at least oneadditional CBSD which can communicate with the first edge UE.

Method Embodiment 5. The method of claim 4, operating the first CBSD toestablish a connection (e.g., X2 connection) with the additional CBSD.

Method Embodiment 6. The method of method embodiment 5, furthercomprising: operating the first CBSD to send a coordinated multipoint(CoMP) participation request message to the additional CBSD; operatingthe first CBSD to receive a CoMP request acceptance message indicatingthat the additional CBSD is willing to assist in the communication ofpackets; and operating the first CBSD to communicate a first set ofpackets in its transmit buffer to said additional CBSD via saidcommunications link, said first set of packets being packets fortransmission (e.g., to be transmitted) to the first edge UE as part of aCoMP session.

Method Embodiment 7. The method of method embodiment 6, furthercomprising: operating the additional CBSD to decrease, in response tothe (CoMP) participation request message, UE inactivity timer length forone or more UEs connected to the additional CBSD (e.g., from a thirdlength to a fourth length, said fourth length being shorter than saidthird length).

Method Embodiment 8. The method of method embodiment 6, furthercomprising: operating both the first CBSD and said additional CBSD totransmit the first set of packets over the air.

Method Embodiment 9. The method of method embodiment 8 furthercomprising: operating the first CBSD to terminate a wireless connectionto the first edge UE after successful communication of said first set ofpackets to the first edge UE (after the packets in the first CBSDstransmit buffer at the time the power down message was received aresuccessfully transmitted to the first UE, the first CBSD terminates itsradio connection with the first edge UE thereby freeing up resourcesthat were being used to communicate with the first edge UE).

Method Embodiment 10. The method of method embodiment 8, furthercomprising: increasing UE inactivity timer length for a second UE,following termination of a radio connection with the first edge UE, saidsecond UE being one of the said one or more UEs for which the UEinactivity timer was decreased from the first length to the secondlength.

Method Embodiment 11. The method of method embodiment 10 whereinincreasing the UE inactivity timer length for the second UE includeschanging a length of a second UE inactivity timer from the second lengthto the first length, said first length being longer than said secondlength.

Method Embodiment 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:completing a handoff of the first edge UE from the first CBSD to theadditional CBSD.

List of Set of Exemplary Numbered System Embodiments:

System Embodiment 1. A communications system comprising: a first CBSD ofa first cell, the first CBSD including: a network receiver that receivesa power down message; a first processor that controls the first CBSD todecrease, in response to the power down message, user equipment device(UE) inactivity timer length for one or more UEs from a first length toa second length; and a wireless transmitter that continues to transmitpackets to UEs at an edge of the first cell.

System Embodiment 2. The communications system of system embodiment 1,wherein said first processor controls the operation of the first CBSD togroup UEs being served by the first CBSD into a group of edge UEs and agroup of cell center UEs, said grouping being based on an indicator ofUE distance from the center of the cell, said indicator of UE distancefrom the center of the cell being one of Reference Signal Received Power(RSRP) information or UE timing advance information.

System Embodiment 3. The communications system of system embodiment 2,wherein said decrease in the UE inactivity timer length is performed forUEs in said cell center group of UEs and is not performed for UEs insaid group of edge UEs.

System Embodiment 4. The communications system of system embodiment 2,further comprising: a wireless receiver that receives at said first CBSDsaid RSRP information and corresponding PCI information from at least afirst edge UE, said RSRP information providing information on at leastone additional CBSD which can communicate with the first edge UE.

System Embodiment 5. The communications system of claim 4, furthercomprising: an additional CBSD; and wherein said first processor furthercontrols the first CBSD to establish a connection (e.g., X2 connection)with the additional CBSD.

System Embodiment 6. The communications system of system embodiment 5:wherein said first CBSD further includes a transmit buffer; and whereinsaid first processor further controls the first CBSD to: send acoordinated multipoint participation (CoMP) request message to theadditional CBSD; receive a CoMP request acceptance message indicatingthat the additional CBSD is willing to assist in the communication ofpackets; and communicate a first set of packets in its transmit bufferto said additional CBSD via said communications link, said first set ofpackets being packets for transmission (e.g., to be transmitted) to thefirst edge UE as part of a CoMP session.

System Embodiment 7. The communications system of system embodiment 6,wherein said first processor controls the first CBSD to transmit thefirst set of packets over the air; and wherein said second processorcontrols the additional CBSD to transmit the first set of packets overthe air in parallel with transmission of the first set of packets overthe air by the first CBSD.

System Embodiment 8. The communications system of system embodiment 7wherein the first processor controls the first CBSD to terminate awireless connection to the first edge UE after successful communicationof said first set of packets to the first edge UE (after the packets inthe first CBSDs transmit buffer at the time the power down message wasreceived are successfully transmitted to the first UE, the first CBSDterminates its radio connection with the first edge UE thereby freeingup resources that were being used to communicate with the first edgeUE).

System Embodiment 9. The communications system of system embodiment 8,wherein said first processor controls the first CBSD to increase UEinactivity timer length for a second UE, following termination of aradio connection with the first edge UE, said second UE being one of thesaid one or more UEs for which the UE inactivity timer was decreasedfrom the first length to the second length.

System Embodiment 10. The communications system of system embodiment 9wherein said to increase the UE inactivity timer length for the secondUE includes changing a length of a second UE inactivity timer from thesecond length to the first length, said first length being longer thansaid second length.

System Embodiment 11. The communications system of system embodiment 8,wherein said first processor controls the first CBSD to complete ahandoff of the first edge UE from the first CBSD to the additional CBSD.

System Embodiment 12. The communications system of system embodiment 6,wherein the additional CBSD includes a second processor that controlsthe additional CBSD to decrease, in response to the (CoMP) participationrequest message, UE inactivity timer length for one or more UEsconnected to the additional CBSD (e.g., from a third length to a fourthlength, said fourth length being shorter than said third length).

List of Set of Exemplary Numbered Computer Readable Medium Embodiments:

Computer Readable Medium Embodiment 1. A non-transitory computerreadable medium including a first set of computer executableinstructions which when executed by a processor of a Citizens BroadbandRadio Service Device (CBSD) device of a first cell cause the CBSD deviceto perform the steps of: receiving a power down message at the firstCBSD; decreasing, in response to the power down message, (user equipmentdevice) UE inactivity timer length for one or more UEs from a firstlength to a second length; and continuing to transmit packets to UEs atan edge of the first cell.

The techniques of various embodiments may be implemented using software,hardware and/or a combination of software and hardware. Variousembodiments are directed to apparatus, e.g., CBSD, user equipmentdevices, SAS, Serving Gateway, PDN gateway, servers, mobility managemententities, network nodes, and/or network equipment devices. Variousembodiments are also directed to methods, e.g., method of controllingand/or operating CBSD devices, network nodes, SAS, nodes, servers, userequipment devices, controllers, mobility management entities or networkequipment devices. Various embodiments are also directed to machine,e.g., computer, readable medium, e.g., ROM, RAM, CDs, hard discs, etc.,which include machine readable instructions for controlling a machine toimplement one or more steps of a method. The computer readable mediumis, e.g., non-transitory computer readable medium.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in theprocesses and methods disclosed is an example of exemplary approaches.Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific orderor hierarchy of steps in the processes and methods may be rearrangedwhile remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Theaccompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in asample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order orhierarchy presented. In some embodiments, one or more processors areused to carry out one or more steps of the each of the describedmethods.

In various embodiments each of the steps or elements of a method areimplemented using one or more processors. In some embodiments, each ofthe elements or steps are implemented using hardware circuitry.

In various embodiments devices, servers, nodes and/or elements describedherein are implemented using one or more components to perform the stepscorresponding to one or more methods, for example, message reception,signal processing, sending, comparing, determining and/or transmissionsteps. Thus, in some embodiments various features are implemented usingcomponents or in some embodiments logic such as for example logiccircuits. Such components may be implemented using software, hardware ora combination of software and hardware. Many of the above describedmethods or method steps can be implemented using machine executableinstructions, such as software, included in a machine readable mediumsuch as a memory device, e.g., RAM, floppy disk, etc. to control amachine, e.g., general purpose computer with or without additionalhardware, to implement all or portions of the above described methods,e.g., in one or more devices, servers, nodes and/or elements.Accordingly, among other things, various embodiments are directed to amachine-readable medium, e.g., a non-transitory computer readablemedium, including machine executable instructions for causing a machine,e.g., processor and associated hardware, to perform one or more of thesteps of the above-described method(s). Some embodiments are directed toa device, e.g., a controller, including a processor configured toimplement one, multiple or all of the steps of one or more methods ofthe invention.

In some embodiments, the processor or processors, e.g., CPUs, of one ormore devices, e.g., communications nodes such as CBSD, UEs, SAS, MME areconfigured to perform the steps of the methods described as beingperformed by the CBSD, UEs, SAS, or MME. The configuration of theprocessor may be achieved by using one or more components, e.g.,software components, to control processor configuration and/or byincluding hardware in the processor, e.g., hardware components, toperform the recited steps and/or control processor configuration.Accordingly, some but not all embodiments are directed to a device,e.g., CBSD, UE, SAS, MME, with a processor which includes a componentcorresponding to each of the steps of the various described methodsperformed by the device in which the processor is included. In some butnot all embodiments a device, e.g., CBSD, UE, SAS, MME, includes acontroller corresponding to each of the steps of the various describedmethods performed by the device in which the processor is included. Thecomponents may be implemented using software and/or hardware.

Some embodiments are directed to a computer program product comprising acomputer-readable medium, e.g., a non-transitory computer-readablemedium, comprising code for causing a computer, or multiple computers,to implement various functions, steps, acts and/or operations, e.g. oneor more steps described above. Depending on the embodiment, the computerprogram product can, and sometimes does, include different code for eachstep to be performed. Thus, the computer program product may, andsometimes does, include code for each individual step of a method, e.g.,a method of controlling a CBSD, UE, SAS, MME. The code may be in theform of machine, e.g., computer, executable instructions stored on acomputer-readable medium, e.g., a non-transitory computer-readablemedium, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory) orother type of storage device. In addition to being directed to acomputer program product, some embodiments are directed to a processorconfigured to implement one or more of the various functions, steps,acts and/or operations of one or more methods described above.Accordingly, some embodiments are directed to a processor, e.g., CPU,configured to implement some or all of the steps of the methodsdescribed herein. The processor may be for use in, e.g., acommunications device such as a CBSD, UE or other device described inthe present application.

Numerous additional variations on the methods and apparatus of thevarious embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled inthe art in view of the above description. Such variations are to beconsidered within the scope. Numerous additional embodiments, within thescope of the present invention, will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art in view of the above description and the claims whichfollow. Such variations are to be considered within the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communications method including: receiving apower down instruction message at a first wireless base station of afirst cell of a first wireless network, said power down instructionmessage resulting from an activation of a second wireless base stationof the first wireless network in the proximity of the first wirelessbase station; identifying, by the first wireless base station, userequipment devices with active communications sessions which willcontinue to be supported by the first wireless base station aftercompletion of power down procedures, said power down procedures reducingthe first wireless base station's transmission power level and coveragearea; decreasing a user equipment device inactivity timer length for oneor more of the identified user equipment devices from a first length toa second length for a first period of time to comply with the power downinstruction message, said first period of time being a period of timeduring which the first wireless base station performs said power downprocedures; and during said power down procedures continuing, by thefirst wireless base station, to transmit packets to user equipmentdevices with active communications sessions which will not be supportedafter the completion of the power down procedures.
 2. The communicationsmethod of claim 1, further comprising: determining, at the firstwireless base station, the physical cell identifier (PCI) for the secondwireless base station, whose activation resulted in the power downinstruction message, by: (i) comparing PCI identifiers reported by userequipment devices being serviced by the first wireless base stationafter activation of the second wireless base station to a list of PCIidentifiers stored in memory before the activation of the secondwireless base station, and (ii) determining that a PCI identifierreported by the user equipment devices being serviced by the firstwireless base station after activation of the second wireless basestation which is not on the list of previously reported PCI identifierscorresponds to the second wireless base station's PCI.
 3. Thecommunications method of claim 2, further comprising: using, by thefirst wireless base station, said PCI of the second wireless basestation to establish a connection with the second wireless base station;and communicating, over the established connection by the first wirelessbase station during said power down procedures, packets from the firstwireless base station to the second wireless base station, said packetsbeing for user equipment devices with active communications sessionswhich will not be supported after the completion of the power downprocedures and which are within the coverage area of both the firstwireless base station and the second wireless base station.
 5. Thecommunications method of claim 4, further comprising: aftercommunicating said packets from the first wireless base station to thesecond wireless base station: (i) terminating, by the first wirelessbase station, wireless connections to the user equipment devices withactive communications sessions which will not be supported after thecompletion of the power down procedures and which are within thecoverage area of both the first wireless base station and the secondwireless base station, and (ii) increasing, by the first wireless basestation, the user equipment device inactivity timer length for one ormore of said one or more user equipment devices for which the userequipment device inactivity timer was decreased from the first length tothe second length, following termination of the wireless connections. 6.The communications method of claim 2, further comprising: during saidpower down procedures and prior to determining, at the first wirelessbase station, the PCI for the second wireless base station whoseactivation resulted in the power down instruction, sending, by the firstwireless base station, requests to user equipment devices in the firstcell to: (i) measure signal strength of signals being received fromother wireless base station by the user equipment devices, and (ii)report to the first wireless base station the measured signal strengthand physical cell identifier (PCI) of the other wireless base stationsfrom which signals were received by the user equipment devices, saidsecond wireless base station being one of the other wireless basestations.
 7. The communications method of claim 6, further comprising:in response to said requests sent to user equipment devices in the firstcell, receiving, at the first wireless base station, Reference SignalReceived Power (RSRP) information and corresponding physical cellidentity (PCI) information from a first edge user equipment device, saidRSRP information providing information on the second wireless basestation, said PCI information providing a PCI for the second wirelessbase station; and wherein said first edge user equipment device is auser equipment device being serviced by the first wireless base stationwithin the first cell with an active communications session after theactivation of the second wireless base station, said first edge userequipment device being located at the edge of the first cell and withinthe coverage area of the second wireless base station.
 8. Thecommunications method of claim 2, further comprising: determining, bythe first wireless base station, that a first user equipment device isan edge cell device which will not be supported by the first wirelessbase station after completion of the power down procedures based onReference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurements or user equipmenttiming advance information reported by the first user equipment device,said first user equipment device being located at the edge of the firstcell and within the coverage area of the second wireless base station,said first user equipment device being serviced by the first wirelessbase station with an active communications session at the time of theactivation of the second wireless base station.
 9. The communicationsmethod of claim 8, further comprising: determining, by the firstwireless base station, that the first user equipment device will not besupported after the completion of the power down procedures;communicating, by the first wireless base station, a coordinatedmultipoint participation (CoMP) request message to the second wirelessbase station; receiving, by the first wireless base station, a CoMPrequest acceptance message indicating that the second wireless basestation is willing to assist in the communication of packets; andcommunicating, by the first wireless base station, a first set ofpackets from a transmit buffer of the first wireless base station tosaid second wireless base station, said first set of packets beingpackets for transmission to the first user equipment device as part of aCoMP session.
 10. The communications method of claim 9, furthercomprising: operating both the first wireless base station and saidsecond wireless base station to transmit the first set of packets overthe air to the first user equipment device.
 11. The communicationsmethod of claim 10, further comprising: terminating, by the firstwireless base station, a wireless connection to the first user equipmentdevice after successful communication of said first set of packets tothe first user equipment device.
 12. The communications method of claim11, further comprising: increasing a user equipment device inactivitytimer length for a second user equipment device following termination ofthe wireless connection with the first user equipment device, saidsecond user equipment device being one of the said one or more userequipment devices for which the user equipment device inactivity timerwas decreased from the first length to the second length.
 13. Thecommunications method of claim 11, further comprising: completing ahandoff of the first user equipment device from the first wireless basestation to the second wireless base station.
 14. A communications systemcomprising: a first wireless base station of a first cell of a firstwireless network, the first wireless base station including: memory; anda first processor that controls the first wireless base station toperform the following operations: receiving a power down instructionmessage, said power down instruction message resulting from anactivation of a second wireless base station of the first wirelessnetwork in the proximity of the first wireless base station; identifyinguser equipment devices with active communications sessions which willcontinue to be supported by the first wireless base station aftercompletion of power down procedures, said power down procedures reducingthe first wireless base station's transmission power level and coveragearea; decreasing a user equipment device inactivity timer length for oneor more of the identified user equipment devices from a first length toa second length for a first period of time to comply with the power downinstruction message, said first period of time being a period of timeduring which the first wireless base station performs said power downprocedures; and during said power down procedures continuing, by thefirst wireless base station, to transmit packets to user equipmentdevices with active communications sessions which will not be supportedafter the completion of the power down procedures.
 15. Thecommunications system of claim 14, wherein said first processor furthercontrols the first wireless base station to perform the followingoperations: determining the physical cell identifier (PCI) for thesecond wireless base station, whose activation resulted in the powerdown instruction message, by: (i) comparing PCI identifiers reported byuser equipment devices being serviced by the first wireless base stationafter activation of the second wireless base station to a list of PCIidentifiers stored in memory before the activation of the secondwireless base station, and (ii) determining that a PCI identifierreported by the user equipment devices being serviced by the firstwireless base station after activation of the second wireless basestation which is not on the list of previously reported PCI identifierscorresponds to the second wireless base station's PCI.
 16. Thecommunications system of claim 15, wherein said first processor furthercontrols the first wireless base station to perform the followingoperations: using said PCI of the second wireless base station toestablish a connection with the second wireless base station; andcommunicating, over the established connection by the first wirelessbase station during said power down procedures, packets from the firstwireless base station to the second wireless base station, said packetsbeing for user equipment devices with active communications sessionswhich will not be supported after the completion of the power downprocedures and which are within the coverage area of both the firstwireless base station and the second wireless base station.
 17. Thecommunications system of claim 16, wherein said first processor furthercontrols the first wireless base station to perform the followingoperations: after communicating said packets from the first wirelessbase station to the second wireless base station: (i) terminating, bythe first wireless base station, wireless connections to the userequipment devices with active communications sessions which will not besupported after the completion of the power down procedures and whichare within the coverage area of both the first wireless base station andthe second wireless base station, and (ii) increasing, by the firstwireless base station, the user equipment device inactivity timer lengthfor one or more of said one or more user equipment devices for which theuser equipment device inactivity timer was decreased from the firstlength to the second length, following termination of the wirelessconnections.
 18. The communications system of claim 14, wherein saidfirst processor further controls the first wireless base station toperform the following operations: determining, by the first wirelessbase station, that a first user equipment device is an edge cell devicewhich will not be supported by the first wireless base station aftercompletion of the power down procedures based on Reference SignalReceived Power (RSRP) measurements or user equipment timing advanceinformation reported by the first user equipment device, said first userequipment device being located at the edge of the first cell and withinthe coverage area of the second wireless base station, said first userequipment device being serviced by the first wireless base station withan active communications session at the time of the activation of thesecond wireless base station.
 19. The communications system of claim 18,wherein said first processor further controls the first wireless basestation to perform the following operations: determining, by the firstwireless base station, that the first user equipment device will not besupported after the completion of the power down procedures;communicating, by the first wireless base station, a coordinatedmultipoint participation (CoMP) request message to the second wirelessbase station; receiving, by the first wireless base station, a CoMPrequest acceptance message indicating that the second wireless basestation is willing to assist in the communication of packets; andcommunicating, by the first wireless base station, a first set ofpackets from a transmit buffer of the first wireless base station tosaid second wireless base station, said first set of packets beingpackets for transmission to the first user equipment device as part of aCoMP session.
 20. A non-transitory computer readable medium including afirst set of computer executable instructions which when executed by aprocessor of a first wireless base station of a first cell of a firstwireless network cause the first wireless base station to: receive apower down instruction message, said power down instruction messageresulting from an activation of a second wireless base station of thefirst wireless network in the proximity of the first wireless basestation; identify user equipment devices with active communicationssessions which will continue to be supported by the first wireless basestation after completion of power down procedures, said power downprocedures reducing the first wireless base station's transmission powerlevel and coverage area; decrease a user equipment device inactivitytimer length for one or more of the identified user equipment devicesfrom a first length to a second length for a first period of time tocomply with the power down instruction message, said first period oftime being a period of time during which the first wireless base stationperforms said power down procedures; and during said power downprocedures continue, by the first wireless base station, to transmitpackets to user equipment devices with active communications sessionswhich will not be supported after the completion of the power downprocedures.